Acute Insomnia Causes

Alopecia (Baldness)

What is Alopecia?
Alopecia simply means hair loss (baldness).
Hair loss occurs for a great many reasons...from pulling it out to having it killed off by cancer chemotherapy. Some causes are considered natural, while others signal serious health problems. Some conditions are confined to the scalp. Others reflect disease throughout the body. Being plainly visible, the skin and its components can provide early signs of disease elsewhere in the body.

Often times, conditions affecting the skin of the scalp will result in hair loss. The first clue to the specific cause is the pattern of hair loss, whether it is complete baldness (alopecia totalis), patchy bald spots, thinning, or hair loss confined to certain areas. Also a factor is the condition of the hair and the scalp beneath it. Sometimes only the hair is affected; sometimes the skin is visibly diseased as well.

Causes
• Male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) is considered normal in adult males. It is easily recognized by the distribution of hair loss over the top and front of the head and by the healthy condition of the scalp.
• Fungal infections of the scalp usually cause patchy hair loss. The fungus, similar to the ones that cause athlete's foot and ringworm, often glows under ultraviolet light.
• Trichotillomania is the name of a mental disorder that causes a person to pull out his/her own hair.
• Complete hair loss is a common result of cancer chemotherapy, due to the toxicity of the drugs used. Placing a tourniquet around the skull just above the ears during the intravenous infusion of the drugs may reduce or eliminate hair loss by preventing the drugs from reaching the scalp.
• Systemic diseases often affect hair growth either selectively or by altering the skin of the scalp. One example is thyroid disorders. Hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) causes hair to become thin and fine. Hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) thickens both hair and skin.
• Several autoimmune diseases affect the skin, notably lupus erythematosus.
• The constant use of chemicals in our everyday lives e.g in hair colouring, shampoo, conditioner, hair sprays etc

Allergies

Testimonial

The Amber Clinic has made a huge change to my life. I have suffered for years since I was about 7 years of age from allergies and hay fever. Summers for me were awful, my eyes swollen and puffy, and the itchiness was dreadful, my nose running and my mouth dry and itchy. Every year I got an injection which helped for a while but not for long. I heard about the Amber clinic from another local girl and I went with not much hope, I had tried many solutions over the years. So after a few months I started to notice a change, and the summer came and went without me having to get the injection. I was able to enjoy the summer again.
I also had a lot of problems with my stomach, no appetite and stomach cramps a lot. This made me very thin and with no energy. The Amber clinic changed all this for me, and now I am eating all around me and at a normal weight. My energy levels are now normal and in general I feel brilliant.
I was so long suffering with my stomach and allergies I didn’t realise what it felt like to be healthy and now thanks to the Amber clinic I feel wonderful and healthy. A new lease of life!!!!

Rachel, Roscommon.

I first visited The Amber Centre in April 2008 to find out if I had any food intolerances.
I had a suspicion that I was intolerant to dairy but needed it clarified by a professional.
It turned out I was intolerant to a list of foods and beverages; coffee, oranges, tomatoes, cheese, wheat, potatoes, milk. When I changed my diet I noticed the difference straight away. Dairy products were also causing some sinus problems and that cleared up.

I also discovered that my system was sluggish and that were causing my metabolism to slow down, lymph system to be sluggish and skin to be spotty and dry.

Alma advised that I increase my exercise by simply walking every day and this aids in moving your lymph system (I have a lung condition which is all connected with the lymph). I was also told to increase my oily fish intake and took Fish Oils for a few months to boost my levels. I was also given homeopathic drops. These were simply mixed with water and drank throughout the day.

People noticed a huge improvement in my skin and also commented that I had lost weight. If I stray from the food diet I notice that I get sinus problems and my skin breaks out and milky chocolate actually makes me feel sick now. If I ate anything tomato or orange based it would give me terrible heartburn so I stick to the diet as best I can. It’s not worth feeling sick to eat something you could have probably done without in the first place. Supermarkets are getting better in the alternative foods that they stock although they are really overpriced when it comes to bread, cereals, etc.

It could be something as simple as eating the wrong foods or having a sluggish system that is causing you problems, then I would recommend a visit to The Amber Centre.

Regards,
Andrea Walsh

What are Allergies?

Allergies are abnormal reactions of the immune system which occur in response to otherwise harmless substances.

An allergy is a type of immune reaction. Normally, the immune system responds to foreign microorganisms or particles, like pollen or dust, by producing specific proteins called antibodies that are capable of binding to identifying molecules, or antigens, on the foreign particle. This reaction between antibody and antigen sets off a series of reactions designed to protect the body from infection. Sometimes, this same series of reactions is triggered by harmless, everyday substances. This is the condition known as allergy, and the offending substance is called an allergen.

Allergens enter the body through four main routes...

The airways, the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, and the circulatory system.

People with allergies are not equally sensitive to all allergens. Some may have severe allergic rhinitis but no food allergies, for instance, or be extremely sensitive to nuts but not to any other food. Allergies may get worse over time. For example, childhood ragweed allergy may progress to year-round dust and pollen allergy. On the other hand, a person may lose allergic sensitivity. Infant or childhood atopic dermatitis disappears in almost all people, for example. More commonly, what seems to be loss of sensitivity is instead a reduced exposure to allergens or an increased tolerance for the same level of symptoms.

Causes

Mast cells, one of the major players in allergic reactions, capture and display a particular type of antibody, called immunoglobulin type E (IgE) that binds to allergens. Inside mast cells are small chemical-filled packets called granules. Granules contain a variety of potent chemicals, including histamine.

Immunologists separate allergic reactions into two main types: immediate hypersensitivity reactions, which are mainly mast cell-mediated and occur within minutes of contact with allergen, and delayed hypersensitivity reactions, mediated by T cells (a type of white blood cells) and occurring hours to days after exposure.

Inhaled or ingested allergens usually cause immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Allergens bind to IgE antibodies on the surface of mast cells, which spill the contents of their granules out onto neighboring cells, including blood vessels and nerve cells. Histamine binds to the surfaces of these other cells through special proteins called histamine receptors. Interaction of histamine with receptors on blood vessels causes increased leakiness, leading to the fluid collection, swelling and increased redness. Histamine also stimulates pain receptors, making tissue more sensitive and irritable. Symptoms last from one to several hours following contact.

In the upper airways and eyes, immediate hypersensitivity reactions cause the runny nose and itchy, bloodshot eyes typical of allergic rhinitis. In the gastrointestinal tract, these reactions lead to swelling and irritation of the intestinal lining, which causes the cramping and diarrhea typical of food allergy. Allergens that enter the circulation may cause hives, angioedema, anaphylaxis, or atopic dermatitis.

Allergens on the skin usually cause delayed hypersensitivity reaction. Roving T cells contact the allergen, setting in motion a more prolonged immune response. This type of allergic response may develop over several days following contact with the allergen, and symptoms may persist for a week or more.

While allergy to specific allergens is not inherited, the likelihood of developing some type of allergy seems to be, at least for many people. If neither parent has allergies, the chances of a child developing allergy is approximately 10-20%; if one parent has allergies, it is 30-50%; and if both have allergies, it is 40-75%.One source of this genetic predisposition is in the ability to produce higher levels of IgE in response to allergens. Those who produce more IgE will develop a stronger allergic sensitivity.

Common allergens...

• The most common airborne allergens are the following: Plant pollens, Animal fur and dander, Body parts from house mites, (microscopic creatures found in all houses) House dust, Mold spores, Cigarette smoke, Solvents, Cleaners
• Common food allergens include the following: Nuts especially peanuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts Fish, mollusks and shellfish, Eggs, Wheat, Milk Food, additives and preservatives
• The following types of drugs commonly cause allergic reactions: Penicillin or other antibiotics, Flu vaccines, Tetanus,
• Common causes of contact dermatitis include the following: Poison ivy, oak, and Nickel or nickel alloys, Latex
• Insects and other arthropods whose bites or stings typically cause allergy include the following: Bees, wasps and hornets, Mosquitoes, Fleas, Scabies

Symptoms

Airborne allergens cause the sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, bloodshot eyes of hay fever ( allergic rhinitis ). They can also affect the lining of the lungs, causing asthma , or the conjunctiva of the eyes, causing conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Allergens in food can cause itching and swelling of the lips and throat, cramps, and diarrhea . When absorbed into the bloodstream, they may cause hives (urticaria) or more severe reactions involving recurrent, non-inflammatory swelling of the skin, mucous membranes, organs, and brain (angioedema). Some food allergens may cause anaphylaxis , a potentially life-threatening condition marked by tissue swelling, airway constriction, and drop in blood pressure.

In contact with the skin, allergens can cause reddening, itching, and blistering, called contact dermatitis . Skin reactions can also occur from allergens introduced through the airways or gastrointestinal tract. This type of reaction is known as atopic dermatitis .

Symptoms of food allergies depend on the tissues most sensitive to the allergen and whether it is spread systemically by the circulatory system. Gastrointestinal symptoms may include swelling and tingling in the lips, tongue, palate or throat; nausea; cramping; diarrhea; and gas. Contact dermatitis is marked by reddened, itchy, weepy skin blisters. Allergic rhinitis is characterized by an itchy, runny nose, often with a scratchy or irritated throat due to post-nasal drip. Inflammation of the thin membrane covering the eye (allergic conjunctivitis) causes redness, irritation and increased tearing in the eyes. Asthma causes wheezing , coughing , and shortness of breath .

Prevention

Avoiding allergens is the best means of limiting allergic reactions, this of course can only be achieved once the specific allergen is known. By determining the allergens that are causing reactions, most people can learn to avoid allergic reactions from food, drugs, and contact allergens such as poison ivy or latex. Airborne allergens are more difficult to avoid, although keeping dust and animal dander from collecting in the house may limit exposure. Detox remedies can also be used in many cases to help with the symptoms of the allergen.

Alzheimers Disease

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, a neurologic disease characterized by loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, lasting at least six months, and not present from birth. AD usually occurs in old age, and is marked by a decline in cognitive functions such as remembering, reasoning, and planning.

A person with AD usually has a gradual decline in mental functions, often beginning with slight memory loss, followed by losses in the ability to maintain employment, to plan and execute familiar tasks, and to reason and exercise judgment. Communication ability, mood, and personality may also be affected. Most people who have AD die within eight years of their diagnosis, although that interval may be as short as one year or as long as 20 years. AD is the fourth leading cause of death in adults after heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

Between two and four million Americans have AD; that number is expected to grow to as many as 14 million by the middle of the 21st century as the population as a whole ages. While a small number of people in there 40s and 50s develop the disease (called early-onset AD), AD predominantly affects the elderly. AD affects about 3% of all people between ages 65 and 74, about 19% of those between 75 and 84, and about 47% of those over 85. Slightly more women than men are affected with AD, but this may be because women tend to live longer, and so there are a higher proportion of women in the most affected age groups.

Causes
The cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown. Some strong leads have been found through recent research, however, and these have also given some theoretical support to several new experimental treatments.

AD affects brain cells, preferentially those in brain regions responsible for learning, reasoning, and memory. Autopsy of a person with AD shows that these regions of the brain become clogged with two abnormal structures, called neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques. Neurofibrillary tangles are twisted masses of protein fibers inside nerve cells, or neurons. Senile plaques are composed of parts of neurons surrounding a group of brain proteins called beta-amyloid deposits. While it is not clear exactly how these structures cause problems, some researchers now believe that their formation is in fact responsible for the mental changes of AD, presumably by interfering with the normal communication between neurons in the brain.

What triggers the formation of plaques and tangles is unknown, although there are several possible candidates. Inflammation of the brain may play a role in their development. Restriction of blood flow may be part of the problem, perhaps accounting for the beneficial effects of oestrogen, which increases blood flow in the brain, among its other effects. Highly reactive molecular fragments called free radicals damage cells of all kinds, especially brain cells, which have smaller supplies of protective antioxidants thought to protect against free radical damage. Vitamin E is one such antioxidant, and its use in AD may be of possible theoretical benefit.

Several genes have been implicated in AD, including the gene for amyloid precursor protein, or APP, responsible for producing amyloid. Mutations in this gene are linked to some cases of the relatively uncommon early-onset forms of AD. Other cases of early-onset AD are caused by mutations in the gene for another protein, called pre-senilin. AD eventually affects nearly everyone with Down syndrome, caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. Other mutations on other chromosomes have been linked to other early-onset cases.

Potentially the most important genetic link was discovered in the early 1990s on chromosome 19. A gene on this chromosome, called apoE, codes for a protein involved in transporting lipids into neurons. ApoE occurs in at least three forms, called apoE2, apoE3, and apoE4. Each person inherits one apoE from each parent, and therefore can either have one copy of two different forms, or two copies of one. Compared to those without ApoE4, people with one copy are about three times as likely to develop late-onset AD, and those with two copies are almost four times as likely to do so. Despite this important link, not everyone with apoE4 develops AD, and people without it can still have the disease. Why apoE4 increases the chances of developing AD is not known.

While the ultimate cause or causes of Alzheimer's disease are still unknown, there are several risk factors that increase a person's likelihood of developing the disease. The most significant one is, of course, age; older people develop AD at much higher rates than younger ones. Another risk factor is having a family history of AD, Down syndrome, or Parkinson's disease. People who have had head trauma or hypothyroidism may manifest the symptoms of AD more quickly. No other medical conditions have been linked to an increased risk for AD.

Many environmental factors have been suspected of contributing to AD, but population studies have not borne out these links. Among these have been pollutants in drinking water, aluminum from commercial products e.g. deoderants, and mercury dental fillings. Further research may yet turn up links to other environmental culprits, although no firm candidates have been identified.

Symptoms
The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease begin gradually, usually with memory lapses. Occasional memory lapses are of course common to everyone, and do not by themselves signify any change in cognitive function. The person with AD may begin with only the routine sort of memory lapse...forgetting where the car keys are...but progress to more profound or disturbing losses, such as forgetting that he or she can even drive a car. Becoming lost or disoriented on a walk around the neighbourhood becomes more likely as the disease progresses. A person with AD may forget the names of family members, or forget what was said at the beginning of a sentence by the time he hears the end.

As AD progresses, other symptoms appear, including inability to perform routine tasks, loss of judgment, and personality or behaviour changes. Some patients have trouble sleeping and may suffer from confusion or agitation in the evening ("sunsetting"). In some cases, people with AD repeat the same ideas, movements, words, or thoughts, a behaviour known as preservation. In the final stages people may have severe problems with eating, communicating, and controlling their bladder and bowel functions.

A list of ten warning signs of AD.

• Memory loss that affects job skills
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks
• Problems with language
• Disorientation of time and place
• Poor or decreased judgment
• Problems with abstract thinking
• Misplacing things
• Changes in mood or behaviour
• Changes in personality
• Loss of initiative

The person with Alzheimer's disease will gradually lose the ability to dress, groom, feed, bathe, or use the toilet by himself; in the late stages of the disease, he may be unable to move or speak. In addition, the person's behaviour becomes increasing erratic. A tendency to wander may make it difficult to leave him unattended for even a few minutes and make even the home a potentially dangerous place. In addition, some patients may exhibit inappropriate sexual behaviours.

The nursing care required for a person with AD is well within the abilities of most people to learn. The difficulty for many caregivers comes in the constant but unpredictable nature of the demands put on them. In addition, the personality changes undergone by a person with AD can be heartbreaking for family members, as a loved one deteriorates, seeming to become a different person. Not all AD patients develop negative behaviours: some become quite gentle, and spend increasing amounts of time in dreamlike states.

A loss of good grooming may be one of the early symptoms of AD. Mismatched clothing, unkempt hair, and decreased interest in personal hygiene become more common. Caregivers, especially spouses, may find these changes socially embarrassing and difficult to cope with. The caregiver will usually need to spend increasing amounts of time for grooming to compensate for the loss of attention from the patient, although some adjustment of expectations (while maintaining cleanliness) is often needed as the disease progresses.

Proper nutrition is important for a person with AD, and may require assisted feeding early on, to make sure the person is taking in enough nutrients. Later on, as movement and swallowing become difficult, a feeding tube may be placed into the stomach through the abdominal wall. A feeding tube requires more attention, but is generally easy to care for if the patient is not resistant to its use.

For many caregivers, incontinence becomes the most difficult problem to deal with at home, and is a principal reason for pursuing nursing home care. In the early stages, limiting fluid intake and increasing the frequency of toileting can help. Careful attention to hygiene is important to prevent skin irritation and infection from soiled clothing.

In all cases, a person diagnosed with AD should no longer be allowed to drive, because of the increased potential for accidents and the increased likelihood of wandering very far from home while disoriented. In the home, simple measures such as grab bars in the bathroom, bed rails on the bed, and easily negotiable passageways can greatly increase safety. Electrical appliances should be unplugged and put away when not in use, and matches, lighters, knives, or weapons should be stored safely out of reach. The hot water heater temperature may be set lower to prevent accidental scalding. A list of emergency numbers, including the poison control center and the hospital emergency room, should be posted by the phone.

Treatment
Several substances are currently being tested for their ability to slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease. These include acetylcarnitine, a supplement that acts on the cellular energy structures known as mitochondria. Gingko extract, derived from the leaves of the Gingko biloba tree, interferes with a circulatory protein called platelet activating factor. Gingko extract has been used for many years in China and is widely prescribed in Europe for treatment of circulatory problems. A 1997 study of patients with dementia seemed to show that gingko extract could improve their symptoms, though the study was criticized for certain flaws in its method. Gingko extract is available in many health food or nutritional supplement stores. Some alternative practitioners also advise people with AD to take supplements of phosphatidylcholine, vitamin B, and folic acid.